B.C. Government Introduces New Legislation to Enhance Safety in Supportive Housing
British Columbia's housing minister, Christine Boyle, announced on Wednesday that the province will amend the Residential Tenancy Act to expand the circumstances under which tenants in supportive housing can be evicted. The proposed Bill 11, known as the Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, aims to address safety concerns raised by housing providers and municipalities.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The legislation will allow landlords of supportive housing sites to apply for an order to end a tenancy early if a resident or their guest is found in possession of a weapon on the property. Additionally, landlords can restrict access to the site while seeking an expedited eviction through the Residential Tenancy Branch. Boyle emphasized that these changes are based on insights from engagement that began in summer 2025, aiming to balance safety promotion with tenant protections.
"Supportive housing providers have experienced challenges related to rare but serious safety incidents, including problematic guests and tenants who may pose a risk to the well-being of others," said Boyle in introducing the legislation. "Based on insights from engagement that began in summer 2025, changes are being proposed that strike the right balance between effectively promoting safety in supportive housing and maintaining protections under the RTA for people who call supportive housing home."
Extended Protections for Housing Workers
The bill also extends protections for housing workers, allowing violence against staff to be a reason for eviction in any type of housing. Jill Atkey, CEO of the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association, noted that this provision was sorely needed. She believes the legislation ensures that barriers for residents are not too high while prioritizing the safety of fellow residents and staff.
"In most cases, supportive housing works very, very well for the vast majority of people, but where they had issues and challenges arise, they didn't have the right tools to deal with those challenges, and so this provides a few more tools to those providers," Atkey stated.
Concerns Over Tenant Rights
However, Robert Patterson of the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre expressed concerns that the changes further restrict tenant rights in an area where landlords already hold significant power. He worries that the bill leaves little room for tenants to defend themselves against accusations of weapon possession, as many providers already have policies that can lead to eviction if broken.
"I think there are a lot of concerns the tenants will have around how strict these rules are. Are they going to have an actual opportunity to raise any kind of defences? Or is it going to be simply a plain litmus test that, 'We saw you or your guests, we thought you had a weapon, therefore we're applying to evict you immediately,'" Patterson said.
Background on Supportive Housing
Supportive housing, as defined by the B.C. Housing website, is subsidized housing with on-site supports for single adults, seniors, and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The new amendments are designed to provide additional tools for managing safety incidents while maintaining the supportive nature of these housing options.
The introduction of Bill 11 marks a significant shift in the regulatory framework for supportive housing in British Columbia, aiming to enhance safety measures without compromising the essential protections for vulnerable tenants.
